We run a variety of courses and training opportunities designed for many different people, ranging from those who have not studied in this way before to those who have already undertaken ministerial formation and training and are looking for further opportunities to think and reflect.
EQUIP is designed for young adults who have a heart to grow in faith and a desire to see the Kingdom come in the world around them: by exercising leadership, in a church, in their place of work or in their own downtime. If you’re 18-30, if you’re hungry to see more of the difference that Jesus can make in our churches and world, if you want to learn some new skills along the way, and if you want to do all that with a group of like-minded people, then this course is absolutely for you!
A formative course in Christian discipleship for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of faith and develop their skills in ministry, tLC began in September 2023 and is delivered in-person and online. We are currently accepting expressions of interest for the September 2026 intake. You can learn more on the CBS website.
tLC is a course for any of our 100,000+ members who use their gifts in a range of activities each week in our Baptist communities. We celebrate youth workers and youth pastors, families and children’s workers, young leaders, pioneers, treasurers, chaplains, deacons, elders, trustees, pastoral care workers, evangelists, and those in local church leadership. We also recognise we want to stay fresh and focused in our respective ministries. This course offers participants a creative learning opportunity to help deepen their understanding of faith and develop skills in ministry and mission for today’s context.
The course runs for 20 months and participants are encouraged to join the whole programme as this helps build community. The cost for the full course (without assignments) is £800. For those seeking Recognised Local Minister (RLM) status the cost is £1400 which includes the marking of assignments. We offer a 50% discount for those aged under 30. The course is facilitated by Rev Jane Day who will be working alongside others from across Baptists Together.
This course meets the academic and spiritual formation requirements set by Baptists Together for anyone seeking to become a RLM. Those wishing to work towards RLM status should speak to their Regional Minister about what else is involved and about the application process.
If you are currently taking the tLC course, you can see the course schedule and materials on the CBS website.
For many years, our churches have been served by Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors who have provided a significant and sustaining Ministry. In recent years, the Baptist Union and the various Baptist colleges have worked together to ensure that we are offering the best possible training and support to those who feel a sense of calling to these important roles. Under the title of the Baptist Training Partnership, there is now a course that has been developed by the Colleges and Ministry Department together and taught in various ways by the different Colleges. For further details download the Baptist Union ‘Baptist Training Partnership’ Brochure.
At the heart of this scheme, each person needs to put together a portfolio of training and study. In other words, rather than necessarily following one course all the way through, appropriate training and study that has already been undertaken in the recent past and courses from other Colleges can be included. This allows the flexibility for each person to undertake training that is accessible and at an appropriate speed until they have put together all that they need.
The modules of the Growing in Service course reflect the requirements of the Baptist Training Partnership. The way we deliver all the necessary formation and training begins with the Learning Collective course, either in the Southern Counties Baptist Association or the Central Baptist Association. The two years of tLC, together with the relevant assignments, all contribute to the portfolio. Depending on the options chosen in tLC and on any previous independent study, tailored further study is arranged following on the end of tLC course to complete the portfolio.